Vice President of India: Complete Study Notes for UPSC, SSC & State PCS
Hello aspirants! If you are preparing for SSC, Railway, State PCS, or UPSC exams, Indian Polity is a high-weightage subject. Today, we will cover one of the most important and frequently asked topics: The Vice President of India.
This guide is written in simple English, keeping in mind the exact pattern of competitive exams. Let’s dive in and secure those crucial marks!
1. Introduction to the Office of the Vice President
The Vice President is the second-highest constitutional office in India, ranking next only to the President in the Order of Precedence. The concept of the Indian Vice President is heavily inspired by the American Vice-President.
Part V of the Constitution of India deals with the Vice President under Articles 63 to 71.
2. Important Articles at a Glance
Memorizing these articles is highly recommended for matching questions in State PCS and SSC exams.
| Article | Provision regarding Vice President |
| Article 63 | There shall be a Vice President of India. |
| Article 64 | The Vice President shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. |
| Article 65 | Vice President acts as President during vacancies or absence. |
| Article 66 | Election of the Vice President. |
| Article 67 | Term of office of Vice President (5 years). |
| Article 68 | Time of holding election to fill a vacancy. |
| Article 69 | Oath or Affirmation by the Vice President. |
| Article 70 | Discharge of President’s functions in other contingencies. |
| Article 71 | Disputes related to the election of the President or Vice President. |
3. Election of the Vice President (Article 66)
The Vice President is indirectly elected by an Electoral College.
Who votes in the election?
- Both Elected AND Nominated members of the Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha).
- Note: Members of State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) do not participate in the Vice President’s election.
Method of Election: Proportional Representation by means of a Single Transferable Vote, and the voting is by secret ballot.
4. Qualifications, Oath, and Salary
To become the Vice President, a candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must have completed 35 years of age.
- Must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
- Must not hold any office of profit under the Union, State, or local government.
Oath (Article 69): The oath of office is administered by the President of India (or someone appointed by the President).
Salary: Interestingly, the Constitution has not fixed any salary for the Vice President in that capacity. The Vice President draws a salary of ₹4,00,000 per month in their capacity as the Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
5. Term, Removal, and Vacancy (Article 67)
- Term: 5 years from the date of entering the office.
- Resignation: Addressed to the President of India.
- Removal: The Vice President can be removed before 5 years.
- Where does it start? A resolution for removal can only be introduced in the Rajya Sabha (not in the Lok Sabha).
- Majority required: Passed by an effective majority in Rajya Sabha (majority of all the then members) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha with a simple majority.
- Note: No formal “impeachment” process is required for the Vice President, unlike the President. A 14-day advance notice must be given before moving the resolution.
6. Powers and Functions
The Vice President has a dual role:
- Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha: Conducts sessions, maintains discipline, and has a casting vote in case of a tie. (Similar to the Speaker of Lok Sabha).
- Acting President (Article 65): Acts as the President if the office falls vacant due to death, resignation, or removal.
- Crucial Fact: They can act as President only for a maximum period of 6 months, within which a new President must be elected.
- While acting as President, they do not perform the duties of the Rajya Sabha Chairman and draw the salary of the President.
7. Important Facts for Quick Revision (Exam Focused)
- First Vice President: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (served two consecutive terms).
- Current Vice President (as of 2024+): Jagdeep Dhankhar (14th Vice President).
- Only VP to die in office: Krishan Kant.
- VPs who went on to become Presidents: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Zakir Hussain, V.V. Giri, R. Venkataraman, S.D. Sharma, K.R. Narayanan.
- Disputes: Any dispute regarding the Vice President’s election is inquired into and decided exclusively by the Supreme Court (Article 71).
🚨 Common Exam Traps & Confusing Points!
Examiners love to trick students with these minor details. Keep these clear in your mind:
- President vs. Vice President Electoral College Trap: * President Election: Only elected members of Parliament + elected MLAs.
- Vice President Election: Both elected and nominated members of Parliament. No MLAs.
- Qualification Trap: * President = Must be qualified to become a member of Lok Sabha.
- Vice President = Must be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha.
- Salary Trap: If a question asks “What is the salary of the Vice President?”, look carefully. They draw a salary for the post of Chairman of Rajya Sabha, not as Vice President.
- Removal Trap: The resolution for removal MUST begin in the Rajya Sabha, never in the Lok Sabha.
📚 Previous Year Exam Relevance
- UPSC Prelims: Focuses heavily on the difference between the Electoral College of the President and the VP, and the specifics of the removal process (effective vs. simple majority).
- State PCS (UPPSC, BPSC, MPPSC): Often asks direct Article matching questions (e.g., Article 64, Article 66) and “who administers the oath”.
- SSC CGL / Railway NTPC: Usually asks factual questions: Age limits, current/first VP, term duration, and the ex-officio chairman concept.
📝 Practice MCQs
Q1. Who among the following participates in the election of the Vice President of India?
- Elected members of Lok Sabha
- Nominated members of Rajya Sabha
- Elected members of State Legislative AssembliesSelect the correct answer:A) 1 and 2 onlyB) 1 and 3 onlyC) 2 and 3 onlyD) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The electoral college for the VP consists of both elected and nominated members of the Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha). State MLAs do not participate.
Q2. A resolution for removing the Vice President of India can be moved in:
A) Lok Sabha only
B) Rajya Sabha only
C) Either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha
D) Joint sitting of both Houses
Answer: B) Rajya Sabha only
Explanation: According to Article 67, the resolution to remove the VP must be initiated only in the Rajya Sabha with a 14-day prior notice.
Q3. To become the Vice President of India, a candidate must be qualified to be a member of the:
A) Lok Sabha
B) State Legislative Assembly
C) Rajya Sabha
D) Supreme Court
Answer: C) Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Since the VP’s primary function is to act as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Constitution mandates that the candidate must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Q4. In case the office of the President falls vacant, for how long can the Vice President act as the President?
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 1 year
D) For the remaining term of the previous President
Answer: B) 6 months
Explanation: Unlike the USA (where the VP takes over for the remainder of the term), the Indian VP acts as President only until a new President is elected, which must happen within 6 months (Article 62).
Q5. Who settles the disputes regarding the election of the Vice President?
A) Election Commission of India
B) Parliament
C) Supreme Court of India
D) President
Answer: C) Supreme Court of India
Explanation: Article 71 clearly states that all doubts and disputes arising out of the election of a President or Vice President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court, whose decision shall be final.
⚡ Quick Revision Summary
- Articles: 63 to 71 (Part V).
- Role: Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Art. 64).
- Election: By Parliament members (Elected + Nominated). No State involvement.
- Minimum Age: 35 years.
- Removal: Starts in Rajya Sabha (Effective Majority) -> Lok Sabha (Simple Majority).
- Max Acting President Term: 6 months.
Would you like me to create a similar detailed study sheet on the President of India or the Prime Minister next?
